Applications are now open for “Azorean Gastronomy,” the first acceleration program entirely dedicated to tourism and gastronomic innovation in the Azores — an initiative designed to position the archipelago as a real-world testing ground for the future of food-driven economic development.

Promoted by GesEntrepreneur with the support of Turismo de Portugal, the program is built on a clear and ambitious premise: to transform the Azores into a “living laboratory” where tradition and innovation intersect, fueling sustainable and scalable business models. Organizers see the islands not simply as a destination, but as a platform for experimentation and validation.

The program will select 14 startups and innovative projects operating across a broad spectrum of sectors, from agri-food production and hospitality to FoodTech solutions and circular economy initiatives. According to national coordinator Francisco Miguel Banha, “Azorean Gastronomy” stems from the conviction that local gastronomy is more than cultural heritage — it is a strategic driver of economic growth. The Azores, he argues, offer an ideal environment to test and refine high-value solutions with market potential.

On the ground, the initiative is backed by the region’s innovation ecosystem. NONAGON, headquartered in the city of Lagoa, will play a central role in mobilizing local partners, providing experimentation spaces, and facilitating connections between entrepreneurs and key stakeholders, including producers and restaurants. In addition to Lagoa’s technological infrastructure, the project is being carried out in collaboration with TERINOV on Terceira Island and STARTUP Pico, reinforcing a cross-island network focused on practical outcomes.

The program officially kicks off with an in-person bootcamp in São Miguel on March 3 and 4. During the two-day intensive session, selected teams will present their solutions to national and international partners. Through June, participants will receive specialized mentorship and the opportunity to test their concepts in real-market conditions. The process will culminate in a final Demo Day before investors and decision-makers in the tourism sector.

Applications are open through February 20 and are available to startups and projects up to 10 years old that identify the Azores as a strategic market for expansion and growth.

More than a traditional accelerator, “Azorean Gastronomy” seeks to establish the Azores as a hub of sustainable innovation — a place where the future of gastronomy can be developed, tested, and projected onto the global stage.

In Diário da Lagoa – Clife Botelho, Director

Translated into English as a community outreach program by the Portuguese Beyond Borders Institute (PBBI) and the Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures Department (MCLL), in collaboration with Bruma Publication and ADMA (Azores-Diaspora Media Alliance) at California State University, Fresno. PBBI thanks Luso Financial for sponsoring NOVIDADES.